Osteoarthritis Bone Marrow Lesions
D A Walsh1, N Sofat2, A Guermazi3
1Professor of Rheumatology, Pain Centre Versus Arthritis, NIHR Nottingham Biomedical Research Centre, Academic Rheumatology, Division of Injury, Inflammation and Recovery, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham Clinical Sciences Building, City Hospital, Hucknall Road, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, United Kingdom; Consultant Rheumatologist, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mansfield Road, Sutton in Ashfield, NG17 4JL, United Kingdom.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
|October 3, 2022
Summary
Bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are key targets for osteoarthritis (OA) treatment. Understanding BMLs can lead to new therapies that reduce pain and slow OA progression, improving patient lives.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Radiology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are associated with osteoarthritis (OA) pain and structural progression.
- Current understanding of BML pathogenesis and therapeutic targeting remains incomplete.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the imaging and pathological characteristics of OA-BMLs.
- To discuss BMLs' associations with OA symptoms and progression.
- To explore potential interventions targeting BMLs for OA treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of imaging, pathology, and clinical associations of OA-BMLs.
- Critical appraisal of semiquantitative and quantitative BML assessment methods.
- Discussion of biomechanical and cellular factors in BML pathogenesis.
Main Results:
- BMLs are linked to OA pain and structural progression.
- Various imaging methods exist for BML assessment, with varying utility.
- Pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions targeting BMLs show potential.
Conclusions:
- Targeting BMLs offers a promising avenue for OA treatment.
- Accurate BML assessment is crucial for identifying at-risk patients and evaluating therapies.
- Further research is needed to confirm the importance of BMLs and develop effective interventions.
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